New Zealand-based MARS Bioimaging has joined forces with Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) for advancing musculoskeletal imaging and diagnosis.

The partnership is based on MARS' the photon-counting spectral CT imaging technology.

MARS and HSS will work together to assess specific aspects of the MARS 5x120 Extremity Scanner and the potential development of new scanning systems and technologies jointly, through the HSS Innovation Institute.

The HSS Department of Radiology and Imaging chairperson Hollis Potter said: “Our team looks forward to collaborating with MARS to assess the technology and pursue other new applications and development opportunities.”

The MARS 5x120 Extremity scanner was developed using MediPix3 detector technology, which was initially developed under the ongoing particle physics research at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN).

Earlier, this technology was utilised by MARS to develop the world’s first commercial (2010) photon-counting 3D colour X-ray.

It allowed the generating of high-contrast images of bone detail and evaluation of bone density at a fracture site at a significantly lower radiation dose as against traditional CT.

The scanner, which is designed as a point-of-care system, is suitable for use in ambulatory and clinical office settings, helping to meet clinical requirements such as fracture healing evaluation, implant complications identification and pre and post-surgical planning.

MARS CEO Mark Figgitt said: “We believe this will be a true collaboration where the complementary expertise of both organisations come together to improve clinical care and lower costs.”